Pennsylvania 4-H Horse Show turns 50

University Park, Pa. -- The Pennsylvania 4-H Horse Show turns 50 this year, and 4-H'ers, volunteers and leaders will celebrate throughout the three-day event, Oct. 23-25 at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. Some participants from the first show will be recognized, and early programs, early tack and other memorabilia will be displayed.

"We want this to be a special celebration of the people who have worked hard to make the show possible for 50 years and to highlight the growth and expansion of the show over those years," said Donna Zang, director of Penn State Cooperative Extension in Butler County and chair of the 4-H Horse Show 50th Anniversary Committee. "We are especially happy to have some of the riders from the early shows coming to Harrisburg to be part of this celebration."

Zang noted that much of the success of the show is due to the continued enthusiasm and commitment of the volunteers, some of whom have been helping throughout the event's history.

Terry Etherton, head of Penn State's Department of Dairy and Animal Science, said the show has been a valuable part of Penn State's 4-H program. "It has helped thousands of youth learn important leadership skills over the 50 years," he said. "I congratulate the organizers on this milestone and commend all of the volunteers who have contributed greatly to its growth and success."

When the show started, it was part of the Pennsylvania Livestock Exposition (now the Keystone International Livestock Exposition) having begun as an extension of county 4-H horse programs. In 1978, the show received its own funding from the state Legislature and expanded from one day to three days.

The first year, there were 168 youths from 36 counties entered on 170 horses (two 4-H'ers used two horses) in 20 classes. The show now hosts nearly 900 4-H'ers and more than 1,300 horses and boasts 141 classes, with 49 performance and 92 production classes.

Pat Comerford, extension horse specialist at Penn State, said the 50th anniversary of the Pennsylvania State 4-H Horse Show is a celebration of the volunteers and professionals who have brought the show to life and the youth who have participated over the years. "The late Jim Gallagher, former Penn State extension horse specialist, was instrumental to the growth and development of the 4-H Horse Program and the state show for many years through 1990," she said. "Gallagher's influence is still alive in the program, and he is fondly remembered by many. We can be proud of the accomplishments of all who have been associated with the
show."

Dosie Cox, Clinton County 4-H leader and volunteer for more than 30 years, is one 4-H'er who was there for the beginning. She said she participated in a "parade class" representing Cambria County, where she grew up. "I remember what I was wearing -- a purple stretch suit with white trim that I had borrowed from a friend," she said with a laugh.

Cox's involvement with the equine industry traces to her grandfather, who was a horse trader, and continues with her grandson, Joe Rankinen, 14, who will show in this year's state horse show, making it five generations who have worked with horses. Her grandfather, John B. Bloom, was on the Farm Show committee and also worked with the Keystone International Livestock Exposition.

Cox is an enthusiastic spokesman for the merits of 4-H and horse shows. "4-H'ers learn to work to win, but to be a good sport and enjoy themselves along the way," she said. "They learn to work in a group and set goals, and they learn to handle adversity. They also learn parliamentary procedure, something that was invaluable to my kids."

Cox noted that communities also benefit from the 4-H Horse Program due to the impact of the equine industry on local economies.

Nancy Kadwill, extension educator in Montgomery County, who has been around the show for about 35 years, says what she really loves about the show is the inclusion of the performance and production show, the therapeutic riding division and availability of driving classes. "These additions help more kids to have opportunities, allowing more to qualify for the state show," she said.

She noted that the addition of events such as the educational clinics, the silent auction, the shopping with vendors and the model horse show all allow more members to feel part of the event. "It gives friends and family something to do besides just see the classes," she said. "And the decorated-stalls contest and good housekeeping awards allow more kids to participate."

Sally Winckelman of Malvern, Chester County, has been a 4-H leader for 43 years and has helped with the state horse show. She currently is leader of the Northern Chester County 4-H Horse Club, the largest in the county, and both her son and daughter were horse club members. Her children both served on the horse-judging team and value the time they spent in 4-H. "4-H'ers learn sportsmanship, including how to lose," she said. "Traveling to the state show is a reward for doing a good job -- it is not easy to get there -- and once there, they meet kids from all over the state. The whole experience is a growth process.

"It's a great program," Winckelman added. "I enjoy the kids, enjoy their growth and I enjoy the parents. It's fun to watch young people grow up."

Organizers invite those who participated in early shows to attend the celebration during the 2009 4-H Horse Show in Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.das.psu.edu/4-h/horses or contact Donna Zang by e-mail at dsz1@psu.edu.